Improvement in cultivators



H. J. WATTLEs, or RooKFoRD, ILLINOIS.

Letters Patent No. 88,758, dated April 6, 1869.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

Zo all whom it mafy concern:

Be it known that I, H. J. WATTLES, of the city of Rockford, in -the county of Winnebago, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Oultivator; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, forming part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the drawing-` l Figure l shows afside View of the machine.

Figure 2 is a top view of. the same.

Figure 3 is the same viewed from the rear end.

' My invention has reference .to an improvement in what al'e usually known as Riding Gultivators, used for cultivating corn and other crops planted in rows, and consists of certain combinations of devices heref inafter to be set forth.

In the drawingVB B, connected by the ties B and J', serve the double purpose of main frame, and tongue or pole to guide the cultivator.

This main frame is supported on the wheels A A by the axle-arms D D, which, being bent upward, will give ahy ,desired elevation to the frame.

Under the pieces B B are hinged the pieces O C, to which the plows a a a a are attached by the handles or slleaths b b b b.

The levers H H, with suitable detente, are connected to the pieces C G by the chains h h, and by means of the notched segments E E, any desired elevation can he given to the plows by the driver on his seat F.

In operation the team is attached to the single-trees L L, the end of the pole B B, being supported with suitable neck-yoke.

The driver, on his seat F, directs the team, while with his feet on the adjustable foot-rests I I, he guides the plows for such movements as the team may not give them in dodging or making short or unexpected turns while he steadies their movements at'all times in the same manner. When it is desired to raise the plows, either one side or both sides at a time, it may be done by drawing back upon the levers H H. In this invention especial attention is askedto the following lamong other points First, I construct the main frame of the parts B B and cross-ties B' J',. which, being united at the front end, and thence widening toward the back end, serve the double purpose of main frame andton'gue or guide pole. These pieces B B are supported on the axlearms D D, which, being bent upward, will give any desired elevation to the main fiame. Since the growing crop, which is being cultivated, must pass under this frame, it is very important that it should 'be sufliciently high not to disturb it, while it is also important that the drivers seat should not be elevated more than not to interfere with the growing crop.

The wedged-shaped pieces D D', secured to the side of B B, give -the advantages of a square frame, while adding but little to the weight or cost to which to attach the axles D D.

Second, in connection with the frame just described, the employment of the hinged pieces C 0, joined at the rear end by the `adjustable tie 0,' furnish a secure and light frame work upon which to fasten the shovels a a a a. As these pieces approach nearer at the fore than at the rear end, advantage is taken of this form to place the two rear shovels on the outside of said pieces, and the front ones on the inside, which gives them the right distance apart in the line of draugh and equalizes the strain upon the supports.

The plow supports or sheaths, b1; b b, are made cylindrical, and are held in position by the clasps d d d d, being strengthened by a suitable brace-rod, extending from near the plow, forward to the piece O.

This clasp d and brace-rod, both encircling the sheath b, admit of the shovel being turned, so as to throw the soil either toward or from the row as may be desired. The driver, in his seat F, with his feet upon the adlinstable foot-rests I I, which are secured to the pieces C O, guides the plows with ease and certainty. aThird, constructing the main frame, as described, with the,v arrangement of the pieces G and the drivers seat, located on the piece B', give the driver an unobstructed view of the row, being cultivated for some distance ahead of the plows, which is a very desirable consideration.

The levers H H, being also convenient to the driver,

-places the plows completely under his control.

Fourth, in connection with theelevated frame described, the arrangement of the evener J, levers K K, and single-trees L L, gives all the advantages of low draught without opposing any obstruction to the cultivated row.

This arrangement, by giving a low draught in combination with the location of the dxivers seat will take the weight off the horses necks, an important consideration.

The double-brace o o secures the lever K in position while furnishing draught-rods for the team.

Fifth, the object of this invention is to furnish a cultivator, combining simplicity of construction with effectiveness of operation, and as such the various parts have each a relative value to each other, so that we may regard it as a single combination for accomplishing the results herein named.

Having thus described my machine,

What I claim asmy invention, and desire to secure by Letters Iatent, is-

The construction, arrangement, and combination of the frame B B B', J D D', swinging-plow supports rC O c,'plows a a, drivers seat F, foot-rests I I, levers H H, and draught devices J K L o o', the whole constructed and operating substantially as .and for the purpose specified.

-Witnesses: H. J. WATTLES.

W. W. BUesoN, O. A. PENNOYER. 

